I just recently heard about Frostgrave from Osprey Publishing. It sounds like a new take on the  Mordheim/Necromunda style campaign-based miniatures skirmish game.

I don't have a lot of time for minis gaming these days, but this kind of game always sucks me in. At least this looks like something where I could put together a couple of warbands with miniatures that I already have.

Saw the first demo game, plus the plastics and the metal wizard sculpts at the Partizan show in Newark last Sunday.  It's gonna be good...  The rulebook itself is a really nice little hardback, full colour.

The Game

1) It really is a game about wizards - numerous schools of magic, aligned, neutral or opposed to each other.  Over 80 spells in the game;

2) Wizards level up through the campaign, gaining new spells or stat increases;

3)  Followers come in multiple types, from Thug to Ranger.  They have fixed stats, and do not level up as the wizards do.  If you want Bert the Thug to advance, you can buy him as Bertie the man-at-arms, or Sir Albert the Knight.  You can improve their weapons and magic items though.

4) Combat is single-roll, D20+bonus vs D20+bonus.  Highest roll wins the combat, and subtracts the lose's Armour score from the roll to give damage.  It runs really quickly and smoothly;

5)  The latest issue of Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy magazine has an interview with the designer, and there's a big thread on Lead Adventure where he and the publisher talk about the game in depth:

http://www.lead-adventure.de/index.php?topic=77432.0

The Minis

1) The wizard and specialist sculpts are lovely - new models from Mark Copplestone are always a date for your diary.  I believe Mark Sim and Mike Owen are also involved, but don't quite me on that;

2)  The multi-part plastic followers are by Bob Naismith, and are compatible with his medieval minis for Fireforge.  They have a lot of accessories too, much like the old Mordheim sprue - lanterns, rope, bags of swag;

3)  But yeah, you can make your own bands up.  No stats for other races - just use a dwarf or elf mini.  My all-Dwarf warband is almost ready;

4)  Nick Eyre at Northstar Military Figures is running a "Nickstarter" - you can pre-order and get reduced shipping and free stuff like treasure models.  Details here:

http://nstarmagazine.com/FROSTGRAVE.htm

Release date

Officially the 20th of July.  The Nickstarter finished on the 29th of June, with the reduced shipping offer finishing on the 15th of June.

It does look like a nice, wizard-centric Mordheim-like.  I've been going back and forth on whether to preorder.  

Love the plastics, of course.

Started on the scenery for the ruined city last week.  These are the modular Gothic buildings from Pegasus Hobbies:

This game has had me messing around with my TerraClips for the first time in ages.  Apparently the line has been discontinued, though, so I'm not likely to get any more than the two sets I've already got (Streets & Buildings of Malifaux).

Received my parcel from the Nickstarter yesterday.  Word is that Brigade Games in the States has received a shipment too.

Metal wizard and freebie knight/templar minis are decent, and the resin treasure markers do the job.  The lectern and armour rack are good, not so impressed with the weapon rack.  Plastic multipart box has a LOT of options and extra equipment and looks very useful.

Quick flick through the rules - pretty straightforward combat and movement mechanics.  Combat looks bloody.  Basic scenario is a treasure hunt, but there are special locations/scenarios/wandering monsters to spice things up.  Perhaps too simple - I wouldn't have minded a little more differentiation between, say, a Treasure Hunter and Knight.

Campaign is decent but simple - loot, wound effects.  A certain amount of XP allows your wizard to level up, gaining a stat bonus or other perk.  Only your wizard goes up levels - if you want to upgrade your Thief to a Treasure Hunter, just spend the points to recruit a Treasure Hunter.  Apprentice stats are calculated directly from your wizard's.

No fantasy races - just use orc or dwarf minis with the same stats as everyone else.

Magic is of course the heart of the system - the schools and casting seem straightforward, but I've not had time to explore the spells.  Nifty touch in allowing a wizard to tap their Health to boost a spell or resist one.